Combined branning and polishing machine.



No. 771,890. PATENTED OCT. 11, 1904.

T. M. WILLIAMS.

COMBINED BRANNING AND POLISHING MACHINE APPLICATION FILED DEG.2. 190a.

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' TLM. WILLIAMS. i

GOMBINEDBRANNING AND POLISHINGMAGHINE. APPLICATION FILED DEOQZ. 190s.

no 110mm.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2- PATENTED OCT. 11; 1904.

I T. M. WILLIAMS. COMBINED BRANNING AND POLISHING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED DEG-2. 1903.

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UNITED, STATES Patented October 11, 1904.

PATIENT OFFICE.

COMBINED BRANNING AND POLISHING MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent NO. 771,890, dated October 11, 1904. I Application filed December 2, 1903. Serial No. 183,444. (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, THOMAS MORGANWIL- LIAMS, a subject of the King of Great Britain, and a resident of Martins Ferry, county of Belmont, and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in a Combined Branningand Polishing Machine,

of which the following 1s a specification.

My invention relatesto new and, useful improvements in combined branning and polishing machines, and more particularly to a machine for branning and polishingmetal sheets or plates after they have been subjected to a bath of tin, terne, or other metal coating; and it consists in the particular construction, arrangement, and combination of parts, which will hereinafter be specifically described. The object of the inventionis to provide a machine for cleaning and polishing the surfaces of metal plates after they have passed through the coating-bath in the pot.

A further object of the invention is toprovide simple and economical means for branning and polishing metallic-coated plates, to-

provide a machine which will occupy much less floor-space than is occupied by the branner and polishing machines hitherto employed, and a machine which will practically confine all dust to the machine itself and prevent its escape into the mill in which it is used.

In describing my invention in detail reference is herein had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, in which- Figure l is an elevation of the left end of the machine embodying my invention. Fig. 2 is an elevation of the opposite or right end of the same, and Fig. 3 is a cross-section through the same. Y

Referring to said drawings,in which like reference-numerals designate like parts throughout the several views, 1 indicates the left-end frame or housing and 2 the right-end frame or housing of the machine, said frames or housings being suitably connected and having mounted therein a series of sets of platecarrying rolls and a series of sets of platecleaning rolls. Y

3 indicates a pair of rolls arranged vertiings 6 in front of the rolls 3, the points of contact of the carrying-rolls 3 and of the cleaning-rolls 5 being on the same horizontal plane.

Guides 7 are provided between said sets of rolls for directing the course of a plate from said carrying-rolls to said cleaningrolls. Above and at an angle to said rolls 5 is journaled in bearings 8 a set of carrying-rolls 9, arranged horizontally with relation to each other, and mounted in asuitable manner above said rolls 9 is a hopper-like box 10 for containing bran, sawdust, or other plate-cleaning material ormixture, said box having downwardly-inclined under sides 11, which end in juxtaposition to the nip of said rolls 9, leaving a passage through which a plate rises from said rolls without hindrance. A lid 12, hinged at 13, is provided in the front end of said box 10, closingan opening through which the plate-cleaning mixture is deposited in and removed from the said box. A lid or door 14. closes an opening in the rear end of said box through which a rod or bar may be inserted to stir the contents from time to time. A vertically-slidable plate is provided in the front end of said box, as shown, by means of which the amount of cleaning mixture permitted to slide forward may be regulated to some extent.

As a means for removing from the rolls 9 any of the cleaning mixture which may adhere thereto and for preventing said adhering material from being squeezed between the rolls and the metal plate, so as to injure said plate, I provide longitudinal scrapers 16 parallel to and in contact with each of the rolls of the pair for scraping said rolls and cleaning the surfaces thereof.

Located in said cleaning mixture within the box 10 directly over the rolls 9 is a pair of cleaning-rolls 17 arranged horizontally with relation to each other and mounted in suitable bearings 18 at each end of the machine. A longitudinal opening or passage 19 is provided in the top of said box directly over the nip of the rolls, 17 through which the plates are passed from said rolls. Over said box and in vertical alinement with the rolls 17 is a set of cleaning-rolls 20, arranged horizontally with relation to each other and mounted in bearings 21. Over said rolls 20 is suitably mounted an upwardly and forwardly inclined guide 22 for directing the course of a metal plate forward upon a suitably-mounted inclined table 23, the purpose of which will presently be shown. A pair of carrying-rolls 24, arranged vertically with relation to each other, is mounted in bearings 25 at a point in the rear of said rolls 20, the point of contact thereof being on substantially the same horizontal plane as the tops of the rolls 20, and a pair of discharge cleaningrolls 26, arranged vertically with relation to each other, is mounted in bearings 27 directly in the rear of said rolls 24.

As is apparent from the foregoing, a plate fed into the rolls 3 passes to and through the rolls 5, thence through the rolls 9, thence through the box 10 and the rolls 17, located therein, to and through the rolls 20, and is directed by the guide 22 to the inclined table 23.The plate then slides in a reversed position upon the rearmost of said rolls 20 and is passed to and through the rolls 24, thence to and through the rolls 26, from which latter it is discharged, preferably, to a truck or other plate-conveying vehicle. The carrying sets of rolls 3, 9, and 24 are all provided with a covering 28, preferably of rubber or similar material which will not injure the coated surface of the plate, and the sets 5, 17 20, and 26 are all provided with a covering 29, preferably of felt, sheepskin, or other plate-cleaning material. Now in order to clean the plates thoroughly the cleaning or felt-covered rolls 17, 20, and 26 are geared in such a manner that they will be driven at a higher rate of speed than the carrying or rubber-covered rolls 3, 9, and 24, the object of this being to cause the rapidly-moving cleaning-rolls to frictionally wipe and polish the plates as-they pass therethrough from the slow-moving carrying-rolls. \Vith this end in view I journal a shaft 30, having suitable connection with the motive power, in the opposite ends or housings of the machine. On one end of said shaft 30, preferably the left end, I provide a large fixed sprocket driving-wheel 31, and on the corresponding ends of each of the shafts 32, 33, and 34 of the rolls 17, 20, and 26, respectively, I provide small sprocket-wheels, as illustrated in Fig. 1 of the drawings. Said small sprocket-wheels are all driven from said sprocket driving-wheel 31 by means of an endless sprocket-chain 35, arranged in a manner suitable for driving each pair of the cleaning-rolls in its proper direction. As

shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings, I provide on the opposite end of the shaft a small fixed sprocket driving-wheel 36, and on the corresponding ends of one of the shafts 37, 38, and 39 of each set 3, 9, and 24 of carryingrolls, respectively, a large sprocket-wheel, and on the end of the shaft 40 of one of the set 5 of cleaning-rolls a large sprocket-wheel 41. Said large sprocket-wheels are all driven from said small sprocket driving-wheel 36 by means of an endless sprocket-chain 42, arranged in a manner suitable for driving each set of said carrying-rolls and the set 5 of cleaning-rolls in its proper direction. Referring to said Fig. 2, 43 indicates a small adjustable idler suitably mounted and located for holding the chain 42 down upon the top of the driving wheel 36. Said idler also serves as a chain-tightener, since itmay be adjusted up or down by means of the adjusting-screw 44. An idler 45 is also provided at asuitable point below and in front of the sprocket-wheel which drives the carryingrolls 9, the object of said idler being to hold said chain 42 closely against said sprocketwheel.

Although I have described the gearing and driving means more or less minutely, it is clearly apparent that the arrangement and means may be varied as desired without altering the general operation of my machine, the gearing and driving means herein shown and described being merely illustrated to show a clearly operative machine.

The cleaning-rolls 5, as hereinbefore stated, are driven by means of the same sprocketchain as the rolls 3. However, said rolls 5, being of a larger size than said rolls 3, will travel faster and will consequently frictionally rub and Wipe the front end of a plate as it passes therethrough and while the rear end thereof is yet held in said rolls 3. Furthermore, said rolls 5 will clean the rear end of the plate while the front end is slowly passing through the carrying-rolls 9. Said rolls 5 are inclosed within a box 46, which is suitably supported between the housings and contains a quantity of cleaning mixture or material. Said rolls continually stirring up said mixture in said box perform the initial cleaning of the plates in a most thorough manner. The top of said box 46 stands substantially horizontal directly underneath the carryingrolls 9 and has a longitudinal opening 47 therein, through which the plates pass to said rolls 9, being guided thereto by a suitably-supported guide 48. The rear end of said box 46 is inclined forward, as shown, and extends down underneath the lower of the rolls 5, thence up around in front of and parallel to said roll in order to inclose the cleaningmixture. The top of said box is also extended in like manner over and around in front of the upper of said rolls 5. A lid 49, hinged at 50, is provided in said box, covering an opening through which the cleaning mixture may be placed in or removed from the box. As is apparent, the cleaning mixture which escapes from the box drops through the longitudinal opening 47 into the box 46. As a means for preventing the escape of the cleaning mixture from this box 46 a suitably-supported large box 51 incloses the bottom and rear of said box 46, said box 51 having its front end secured to the front end of the machine-and its rear end attached to the rear end of the box 46.

Now the operation of my machine is substantially as follows: A metal plate delivered to the rolls 3 is carried forward thereby to the rolls 5 at a comparatively low rate of speed. Immediately the front end of said plate is engaged by said rolls 5, which are traveling in the cleaning mixture in the box 46, said rolls because of their relatively larger size and their consequent higher speed subject said plate to a frictional wiping and cleaning while the rear end thereof is yet held by the slow-moving rolls 3. When the rear end of said plate is released by the rolls 3, the front end thereof is grasped by the rolls 9, it having been guided thereto by the guide 48. The said slow-moving rolls 9 retard the speed of the sheet or plate, and the rolls 5 consequently subject the rear end of the sheet to a frictional wiping and cleaning. Passing from the rolls 9 the plate enters the box 10 and is thoroughly dusted as it passes upward through the cleaning mixture or material therein. Rising from said cleaning mixture the upper edge of the plate is engaged by the cleaning rolls 17, which are moving at a higher rate of speed than the carrying-rolls 9,which yet retain hold of the lower edge of the plate. The rapidlymoving cleaning-rolls 17 and 20, being covered with felt or other suitable cleaning material,.as are also the rolls 5, therefore thoroughly clean the upper edge of the plate as it slowly passes upward therethrough. When the lower edge of the plate is released by the carryingrolls 9, the sheet or plate is rapidly passed upward by the rolls 17 and 20 and is deflected to the inclined table 23 by the inclined guide 22. The plate then slides back of its own weight from the table 23 to the rearmost roll of the set 20, which carries it to the slowmoving carrying-rolls 24. Passing through said rolls 24 the front end of the platethe then uncleaned or unpolished end, the plate having been reversed end for end-is engaged by the rapidly-moving cleaning-rolls 26 and is polished thereby in the same manner as the opposite end'was previously cleaned by the rolls l7 and 20. Passing through said rolls 26 the plate is dropped or deposited, preferably, upon a truck or other plate-conveying vehicle, as hereinbefore mentioned. The rolls 9, 17, and 20 being arranged in vertical alinement, all bran or cleaning material is drained from the plate before it reaches the table 23,

and consequently none of said material is permitted to pass with the plate from the ma chine. All dust is therefore confined to the machine itself, and as a result one of the most serious detriments to the manufacture of per-' fect coated plates is gotten rid of.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a device of the character described, a series of sets of plate-carrying rolls and a series of sets of plate cleaning and polishing rolls, said rolls geared to be driven at relatively different rates of speed and arranged in positions with relation to each other whereby one edge of a plate of metal passing therethrough is cleaned by the fast-driven rolls while the opposite edge is held by the slow-moving rolls, a hopper containing cleaning material through which plates are carried vertically, boxes for catching the material which drains from the first-mentioned box, means for reversing a plate end for end during its passage, and driving mechanism connected with said rolls, substantially as described.

2. In a device of the character described, a series of sets of plate-carrying rolls and a series of sets of plate-cleaning rolls, said rolls geared to be driven at relatively different rates of speed and arranged in positions with rela tion to each other whereby one edge of a plate of metal passing therethrough is cleaned by the fast-moving rolls while the opposite edge is held by the slow-moving rolls, a series of boxes for holding cleaning mixture arranged in the path of a plate through said rolls, and plate-cleaning rolls arranged within said boxes to revolve in the cleaning mixture and to frictionally apply the same to a plate, substantially as described.

3. In a device of the character described, a train of plate-carrying rolls a portion of which is arranged in vertical alinement, boxes containing cleaning material interposed between some of'the sets of said rolls in said train, and plate-cleaning rolls arranged within said boxes to revolve in the cleaning material and to frictionally apply said material to a plate passing therethrough, said plate carrying rolls and said plate-cleaning rolls driven at relatively different rates of speed, substantially as described.

4:. In a device of the character described, a series of sets of plate-carrying rolls arranged to first carry a plate horizontally, then vertically upward, and then horizontally, means for reversing the plate end for end during its passage through said sets of rolls, boxes containing cleaning mixture arranged intermediate the rolls, and plate-cleaning rolls located with in said boxes to frictionally apply said cleaning mixture, all substantially as and for the purposes set forth and described.

5. In a device of the character described, the combination with housings, of dust-containing boxes, a set of plate-cleaning rolls arranged Within each of said boxes, plate-cleaning rolls located outside said boxes, plate-carrying rolls located intermediate the platecleaning rolls, and a closed box for receiving the drainage from said dust-containing boxes, substantially as described.

6. In a device of the character described, the combination With housings, of a series of sets of plate-carrying rolls and a series of sets of plate-cleaning rolls, a portion of said series of rolls arranged in Vertical alinement, a dust-containing box mounted over one of the sets in the vertical line of rolls, a passage in the under side of said box through which a 5 plate emerging from said set of rolls passes vertically, and said box provided with a passage in its top through Which said plate is passed, and a closed box for receiving the drainage from the first-mentioned box, substantially as described and for the purposes set forth.

Signed by me at Wheeling, West Virginia, this 23d day of November, 1903.

THOMAS MORGAN WILLIAMS.

Witnesses:

H. E.,DUNLA.T, A. L. SAWTELL. 

